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Friday, May 14, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday.

My sweet Tripp,

Today you turn ONE YEAR OLD. I can't believe it. Sometimes it feels like only yesterday when they placed you in my arms... and then other days it feels like you should be 5 years old! You have been through SO much in one short year. As I write this I am lying next to you while you sleep... and good thing I'm not writing it on paper because I can't hold back the tears. I have tears of joy and tears of sadness... but mostly I just have tears of LOVE. I LOVE you so much that I don't even know how to say it. Every single second of the day I just want to hold you and squeeze you. And if you could talk, I know you're first words would be "I love you" because I tell you that at least 100 times a day.

You are so special, my little man. I know that it will be really hard for you to understand at first, but because you have endured so much pain and suffering... God has a very very special plan for you. I just know it. I can look at you and tell that you are an angel here on Earth. Mommy is so lucky and so blessed to have you for a baby. You have made me a better person in every way possible. I will never take another day for granted... especially a day that I have with YOU.

You are overflowing with personality. You have a mind of your own. You are completely 100% spoiled rotten. And I'm not going to lie... (almost) anything you want, you will get. Because you deserve it. Right now you are clapping, banging your toys, smiling like crazy, rolling your eyes (precious), pushing backwards in your walker, turning the pages of your books, and lots of other fun things. You are getting to be so much fun and Mommy thinks you are such a smart little boy.

Right now, my heart doesn't know what to feel. I feel so proud of you for fighting this horrible disease for a whole year. But my heart is aching to watch you suffer everyday. I have so many mixed feelings. I wish I could take every single bo-bo away from you... from your eyeballs to the tips of your toes. But what I think I'm really trying to say, my angel, is that I wouldn't trade you for any other baby in the whole wide world. Because YOU are the most special baby in the whole wide world.

My goodness, I love you. I love you so much that it hurts. And I hope and pray that you are with me for many more years so that I can SHOW you how very much I love you. Have a wonderful day, sweet boy. Mommy is SO SO proud of you. And I am honored to be your Mommy.

I'm just a blog reader but this little guy is so precious and seeing photos of him brightens my day, I pray for him daily and I am thankful he was such a strong spirit to come down from heaven to endure this pain for many reasons, and I know him being here has alot of significance. He is so blessed to have loving, caring parents!! Happy birthday

Just another blog "stalker"... Courtney, your strength and feirce love for your baby boy is such an inspiration. I feel like I know you so well even though we live hundreds of miles apart... Tripp, Happy Birthday you precious little angel! You deserve all the happiness in the world!

I will continue praying for Tripp's health and his parents' strength... But, for today, I just pray for happiness for all of you!

Happy Birthday little Tripp man....Courtney you are such an inspiration to me...I hope I am a quarter of the woman/mother you are...and tell you mom I love and admire her beyond words...Love Aunt Sharon

Happy Birthday to you, sweet Tripp! What a miracle you are! I look forward to you receiving the card my daughter is making for you! You deserve all the happiness you have and I hope you know how wonderful your parents are and how much they love you....I have never even met them and I can tell. God Bless you sweet little man!

Happy 1st Birthday Tripp! You are amazing and so are your parents. We are ALL blessed because you are here and your mommy shares with us your strength and happiness! I don't comment often but my family prays EVERY night for you! We love you! Terah and family from Florida

Happy birthday Tripp!! I hope you have a wonderful day. I can't wait to see you at your party tomorrow. And Courtney just wanted to say how much I admire you for all that you do, tripp couldn't ask for a better mother.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIPP !!!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day and make sure Grammy gets you a really big birthday cupcake for you today!!! We love you and will see you tomorrow. Aunt Judy, Uncle Owen and Megan

Happy Birthday to your amazing, inspiring, beautiful little man! I have no idea how you dropped off my blog roll, but I am adding you back on. I have missed the Tripp updates! I also love the new look.

Baby Tripp,Oh boy, Ty's not going to be able to call you that for much longer! You have been a part of our lives so long and we have been praying so hard that you would be here to enjoy today and you've beat the odds! You are a miracle. To watch you grow from the tiny little sleeping baby to the silly, scrunchy smiling little man you are today has been a joy. You are so lucky to have a mommy and daddy as wonderful as yours and they are so blessed to have you. I hope that you have a beautiful day. Much love from the Griffins in Illinois!

What a HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DAY! I'm so excited for all of you to be celebrating with the big party tomorrow!! Elyse's graduation is at the same time as the party so I'm so sorry I won't be there to share a hot dog with you Tripp, eat some cake and ice cream for me too!!! I'm sending alot of love, admiration and prayers your way Randy, Courtney and Tripp. Have a GREAT day tomorrow!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIPP!!! Love, Mrs Julia

Happy Birthday Tripp! I hope you have a great day celebrating. You are so special, just like your mom said. You came to this earth with a special trial, one the rest of us whimps could never endure. Your Heavenly Father knew that a normal life would be to easy for you so he made you super special. But I'm sure He cries for the things you have to endure.

Happy First Birthday Tripp! You are a special little guy and I am blessed to "know" you. I will continue to keep you and your mommy and daddy in my prayers, and maybe your second year will be easier and better for all of you.

Happy Birthday little man!! You are such an inspiration to us ALL! I really have learned a lot from you and your mommy just by reading her blog. I hope that one day I can be half or even a quarter of the mother she is...You've definetly been blessed with the pick of the litter! I hope all your birthday wishes come true!

Courtney, I am crying my eyes out as I read your posts. I am so proud of the young woman you have turned out to be. You are an amazing mother! Tripp is truly blessed to have a mommy like you! I can't even imagine what you're going through. I will continue to pray for you and your sweet baby boy. Happy Birthday Tripp! I love you, girl!

Current clinical research at the University of Minnesota has included a bone marrow transplant to a 2-year-old child who is one of 2 brothers with EB. The procedure was successful, strongly suggesting that a cure may have been found. A second transplant has also been performed on the child's older brother, and a third transplant is scheduled for a California baby. The clinical trial will ultimately include transplants to 30 subjects.[10]

Tripp was born on May 14, 2009. He was diagnosed with a rare genetic skin disease called "EB." Any type of friction on his skin or mucous membranes causes blisters. They told us he would not live to be a year old. Every day he amazes us by his strength. He is a fighter and with all he has been through, he has never given up. He is the strongest person I know. Tripp wakes up each morning with a smile on his face. Every day spent with him is a blessing. God has a special plan for him. I'm just blessed to be able to witness that plan.

My name is Courtney and I am from the small town of Ponchatoula, LA. Before I became a mommy to Tripp, I worked as a nurse in geriatric/psychiatric. I loved and miss my job, but I loved being a stay-at-home mom much more. My son lost his battle with a serious skin disease in January of 2012. He took a piece of my heart with him when he left. Being his mom brought more joy into my life than I ever thought possible. Tripp taught me the true meaning of love and sacrifice and my life will never be the same.

I am remarried to the man of my dreams and I am currently trying take each day one breath at a time, thanking God for not abandoning me on this journey.

A Special Child

You weren’t like other children,And God was well aware,You’d need a caring family,With love enough to share.And so He sent you to us,And much to our surprise,You haven’t been a challenge,But a blessing in disguise.Your winning smiles and laughter,The pleasures you impart,Far outweigh your special needs,And melt the coldest heart.We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,To help you learn and grow,The job that you have brought us,Is more than you can know.A precious gift from Heaven,A treasure from above,A child who’s taught us many things,But most of all- “Real Love”